Item 92 - Letter from Jermyn Cowell to Henry Sidgwick

Describes his journey to Paris and the accommodation that he had found for the two of them in the city. Recounts his meeting with [Allan] 'Kardec' and his meetings with those to whom the latter introduced him, including two Russian noblemen who were engaged in 'spreading the doctrine [of spiritism] in Russia'. Describes drawings and engravings produced by spiritists, which were shown to him by Kardec. Describes the seance, presided over by Kardec, which he attended; the session commenced with a prayer, and the minutes of the previous meeting were read, followed by the reading by the respective mediums of various communications made by the different spirits (including St Augustine and a late member of the Society) who had been evoked at the previous meeting. A member of the society, Dr Ferru, then recounted his experience of his encounters with a spirit called Undine (who was evoked at the meeting and promised to return at the next). Then four or five mediums began to write down the several communications that they were receiving from various spirits. Reports that Kardec is to take him to a small meeting of spiritists that evening. Awaits the arrival of Sidgwick [on Tuesday morning] with impatience.